Snacking and Samples from the Souq

My last day in Jordan started with a few hours on the bus to get from Aqaba to Amman. Once back in the big city, the group had the afternoon free to explore before meeting for our goodbye dinner. Hilariously, we all opted to stay together and explore downtown, do our last minute shopping, and check out Rainbow Street. We have quite the bond and/or herd mentality going on.

So together we made our way back to city centre to the markets for scarves, spices, and silver. 

First it was time to fuel up. Some of the group adulted and ate healthy food at an amazing falafel place called Hashem as a late lunch. Some of us went to get dessert instead. Hooray irresponsibility and sugar diabetes! The place we went, called Habibah, is famous amongst tourists and locals alike. It serves just a few options and the lines can be more than a block long. We lucked out with a relatively short line and a piping hot, fresh batch of knafeh - soft cheese covered with either semolina dough (na’ama) or crunchy thin fried noodles (khishnah) cooked in butter then covered in a thick simple syrup (with rose water or orange blossom) and sprinkled with chopped pistachios. Om nom nom!

Following the main road, we arrived at a souq - an open air market for food and goods. Here the group got separated as certain people (me) are easily distracted and like to ask a bascrilliondy questions. So a smaller team of us took our time in the market while the larger group powered through. Okay, so maybe by the time the three of us stragglers were done looking at one of the first shops the group was gone and we couldn’t find them. I will neither confirm nor deny. 

Here’s where the famous hospitality and kindness of Jordanians really shone through for me. As we were looking at the various stalls, I’d ask a question about something on display. Instantly, the shop owner handed over a sample as they explained the item and its use. At a dessert stall, I asked to buy a couple sweets and the young boy working there just gave us each two free honey soaked fried bread ball thingies. Then I tried a fruit called balah which I later learned are fresh dates. It was yellow, small and crispy, sweet and slightly starchy. I wanted to buy maybe six, but when the vendor realized I meant six dates and not six kilos, he poured a whole bunch in a bag and tried not to take my money. I got him to accept a half dollar in the end mostly by just leaving it on the table and waving goodbye. 

The same thing happened with the vendor with the fresh figs. I just wanted maybe four figs, but the shop keeper just kept dropping them in my bag and refusing payment. 

In the end, I ate quite a bit of free (unwashed) fruit and sugary snacks. Don’t fail me now, Iron Stomach!

Belly full of free food, we started to make our way up the hill to Rainbow Street, a shopping area known for its restaurants, hipster vibe, and colourful street art. 

Having shopped away the afternoon, we had to flag down a cab on the busy street and book it back to the hotel to meet the rest of the group. The taxi driver was also SO NICE! He asked us where we were from and was talking all about his family living in Canada and how he wants to emigrate to be able to provide for his girls. Then when he dropped us off he tried to refuse to take the very reasonable tip we were trying to give him. He almost refused to take any money! 

Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to all my new friends and draw the adventure to a close. 

Of course I took the opportunity to wreck one last photo. Heh heh heh...

Salaam Aleikum, Jordan and G Adventures friends!